"It's Actually Sad": SA Stunned by Video of Zimbabwe Newspaper Covered in Presidential Portraits

• A TikTok video exposing what newspapers in Zimbabwe apparently look like has left South Africans completely speechless
• The clip blends news broadcast footage, public recordings and on-screen captions to deliver a scathing commentary on land policy
• Thousands have reacted to the video, with many drawing comparisons to some of Africa's most controversial leaders

A TikTok video posted on 23 October has sent shockwaves through South African social media, with thousands stopping to take a closer look at what life under Zimbabwe's government apparently looks like through the lens of its press.

The clip, shared by user @nodnajustrsa, stitches together indoor footage of newspaper pages, television broadcast segments and recordings from public events. On-screen captions guide viewers through the content, including phrases such as "when you decide to buy a newspaper in Zimbabwe."

One of the more striking lines woven through the footage is the claim that "agricultural land belongs to the president, not you", a statement that landed hard with South African viewers already sensitive to land reform debates closer to home. Watch the video that has South Africa talking:

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The reactions poured in quickly, with many viewers swinging between disbelief and dark humour. That split between humour and genuine concern seemed to capture the mood of the comment section as a whole, with some viewers treating the clip as comedy and others sitting with the weight of what the footage was actually showing.

@Witty_Kit🇿🇦 wrote:

"Even Mugabe didn't do this😂😂😂"

@Charmaine💜 kept it brief and pointed:

"Newspaper❎photo album✅"

Not everyone was laughing, though. @Tebo🇿🇦 simply said:

"This is actually sad."

Briefly News stories about Zimbabwean affairs

• An endurance traveller from Jordan (@hikewithme.official), attempting a two-year walk across continents from Cape Town to Russia, captured a heartwarming encounter on Day 121 of his trek in Zimbabwe.
• Following widespread anti-illegal immigration protests and border tensions in South Africa, over 116,000 Zimbabwean nationals returned home to face severe economic challenges.
• South African TikTok creator Alice (@alice.visualdiary) shared an aesthetic day-in-the-life video showcasing her experience living in Harare, Zimbabwe, after relocating in 2024 as a SADC trainee with a UN subsidiary organisation.

Source: Briefly News